John Coltrane 'Giant Steps' Album to Be Re-Issued for 60th Anniversary

The reissued album will feature alternate takes and previously unseen images of John Coltrane.

This September, Rhino will release a special re-issue of John Coltrane album Giant Steps in honor of its 60th anniversary. In 2004, Coltrane's fifth album was chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

"Giant Steps is exhibit a of how Coltrane's obsession with the inner mechanics of music could not--and did not--impede his lyrical priority as a soloist," said music historian Ashley Kahn, "nor his compositional knack for inventing memorable, deeply entrancing melodies."

The album features Paul Chambers on bass, Tommy Flanagan on piano and Art Taylor on drums. The deluxe edition of Giant Steps features eight alternate takes, a booklet with never-before-seen photos and original liner notes.  Rhino is also releasing a 'Super Deluxe Edition' of the album with 20 additional takes.

The release comes on the heels of the release of the newly-unearthed Blue World album in September 2019. Back in 1964, between the recordings of his Crescent and A Love Supreme albums, John Coltrane agreed to record eight tracks with Canadian film director Gilles Groulx. In summer 2019, Coltrane's former label Impulse! decided to release the record.

Another previously-unheard Coltrane record, Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album, were recorded in one day back in March 1963. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard Top 200.

John Coltrane - Giant Steps (Tracklist)

Side A

1. Giant Steps
2. Cousin Mary
3. Countdown
4. Spiral

Side B

1. Syeeda's Song Flute
2. Naima
3. Mr. P.C.

Side C

1. Giant Steps (Alternate, Take 1, Incomplete)
2. Naima (Alternate Take)
3. Like Sonny (Alternate Take)
4. Countdown (Alternate Take)

Side D

1. Syeeda's Song Flute (Alternate Take)
2. Cousin Mary (Alternate Take)
3. Giant Steps (Alternate Version Two False Start)
4. Giant Steps (Alternate Take)